At The Aloha Monkey Tattoo, we realize that getting your first tattoo can be an exciting experience, but can be a little daunting if you aren’t prepared. So, we have some tips for preparation and finding ideas for first tattoos to help make your experience fun and unforgettable. Whether you have been thinking about it for years or had a spur of the moment urge to get a tattoo, just relax and keep these helpful hints in mind when setting up your appointment.
Whether it’s for the love of art, to remember a special moment in life, daily reminders of what’s important to us, or simply an expression of ourselves as individuals, tattoos are something that lasts a lifetime and are often extremely special to those that get them in one way or another. There are usually a few questions that first-time tattoo clients ask before heading into the shop, so let’s start there.
Do Tattoos Hurt?
In short, yes. However, keep in mind that everyone’s experience is different. The sensation varies from person to person and pain thresholds are very different from person to person. If you are worried about the pain, the placement of your tattoo and making sure you take the time to make sure you are relaxed and comfortable during your session can definitely help make it more enjoyable.
The human body is incredibly designed with our nervous system being laid out in a way that allows certain parts to withstand pain better than others. Have you noticed that some areas of the body hurt more than others when impacted or injured? It’s the way we were meant to be, considering certain areas need to be more sensitive for function like our hands and feet or for protecting vital organs like our ribs and abdomen.
Other areas like our outer arms and legs tend to be a lot more immune to pain for the simple fact that those areas are more likely to be what ends up impacted by simple clumsy actions like bumping into things as we walk. So, by picking areas like the arms or legs for your first tattoo, it will be more likely to have a lower pain reaction.
What Should I Bring to my Appointment?
There are a few things that you can do to prepare for tattoo appointments. First and foremost, eat and make sure that you are hydrated before arriving. Then you can keep your body at its best by bringing a snack for when/if you need a break and water. Books, Kindles, tablets, and other things to keep you “occupied” can actually create a more difficult tattoo process. Your entire body moves every time you reach for something and getting tattooed is an experience that you should be present for. So, unless it’s necessary, leave the distractions for the waiting area or at home. Most tattoo shops will be playing music, so if you do have to listen to your own to help you with your experience, please don’t play it loudly on your phone or speaker. Popping one headphone in will allow you to listen to your own, but avoid disturbing those around you. Being respectful of people in the shop is important, and not everyone enjoys hearing others' music or videos.
Can my Friends Come?
Moral support is not discouraged, but having a full entourage isn’t ideal. Most tattoo shops are not set up for large parties and many won’t allow guests to accompany you to the artist’s station so that their work area isn’t crowded. Tattoo artists aren’t there to entertain groups and most shops aren’t set up for more than a few people at a time. It’s hard to do your job when you’re rubbing elbows with 5 other people that are just there to awkwardly watch. This isn’t Benny Hana’s or a zoo. We suggest that if you would like to have someone with you, keep it to one person to share this special experience with. After all, this is for you! And we get it, you’re excited - which you should be - but, you can wait to show it off to all of your friends after it’s completed.
Tattooing is a respected art form of its own mediums that has its own confines and applications. Welding has different techniques than sculpting and oil painting. So, if you are thinking of a design or find something that inspires your ideas for first tattoos, trust your artist if they suggest a variation of your design. Not every design that you find for your inspo board will be well-suited for longevity in tattoos. And as long as you have found a reputable artist, they will make sure you get a tattoo that will last a lifetime and heal in a way that won’t jeopardize your design.
When coming up with ideas for first tattoos, it’s hard to know what to get that is going to look just as attractive when fully healed. So many people see things on social media and think that since it looked good when that particular artist took a fresh photo right after it was finished, that it will work. That’s not always the case. The internet lies and so does photoshop. So it's best if you can see a healed picture from the artist you are looking to work with.
Here at The Aloha Monkey, we love it when first tattoo clients want to get a design that has shading and color. This is the best way to get a feel for outlines, shading, and color while getting a piece that looks complete. In most cases, designs that are only outlining end up looking unfinished unless they are script or a graphic image. Outlines are typically starting points for tattoos. Script or cursive tattoos are also among the best ideas for first tattoos. They are typically meaningful to those who get them and are a great way to start your tattoo journey.
Planning where you are getting your tattoo is also important for a few reasons. A lot of people tend to get their first tattoo at younger ages like a “right of passage” at 18 or in their 20’s. That point of your life is where there are endless possibilities on where life will take you. So, if you are in or thinking of entering an area of career that may require the covering of tattoos, it’s better to be mindful prior to the application of your piece. You may want to consider placements that are easier to cover down the road.
If you are thinking you may want something like a large custom piece or a sleeve at some point, make sure that the tattoo you are getting won’t interfere with those plans. You may think getting something down your forearm will look cool right now, but if you are planning on a sleeve down that same arm, it’s likely to end up getting in the way of a fluid design. Just something to keep in your back pocket.
Tattoos are FOR you and do not need to face you. Some tattoo placement can change the actual message that the tattoo was meant to provide, so making sure it faces in a way that makes sense can help avoid awkward questions from family and friends later on.
Getting your first tattoo should be a good experience, and one way to make sure you are setting yourself up for success is by researching the shop and artist you are considering going to. Check out portfolios and be sure to look at healed work that they’ve done so that you know they are doing quality work. They should be willing to sit down and talk with you about your design and take the time to draw up a design for you.
Once you find a trustworthy artist, allow them to guide you and have faith in their creativity. They may suggest different tattoo sizing for your piece to make sure that it heals correctly. The smaller a tattoo is, the more it becomes difficult to make sure that it will heal attractively. The tiny tattoo trend is booming, but what they don’t tell you is if it isn’t done the right way a 1 inch tattoo can easily end up looking like a smudge in a few years. Many artists will even state that they are looking to do palm-sized or medium tattoos in the available flash designs because of the way they expect that design to heal. So, if your artist suggests sizing up your design, it’s for good reason.
Tattoos are also a luxury purchase that follows the rule of “quality over quantity.” Don’t go looking for your first tattoo with the mindset of trying to find the most affordable option, because in this industry, you definitely get what you pay for 10 out of 10 times. You are a precious, sovereign individual, so get the best because you are worth it. Quality and excellence in a luxury purchase will cost you, but cheap will not get you quality or excellence. You are paying for years of experience and training, not just an hour or two of being under the needle.
The final tip for getting your first tattoo is how to take care of it after your appointment. A fresh tattoo is an open wound and it should be taken care of like one to prevent any issue from arising. Keep yourself hydrated so that your skin is in healthy condition and put the scented lotions and soaps away for a couple weeks. Scented soaps and lotions have alcohol in them and can cause irritation and damage the process of the ink setting during the healing process.
Clean the tattooed area with antimicrobial, unscented soaps and warm water, and try to keep it hydrated with application of light layers of unscented moisturizers. Think matte not glossy. And stay away from activities like swimming or tanning while it’s healing. Swimming can lead to infection, and sunburn can damage your tattoo. You took the time finding ideas for first tattoos, researched artists and tattoo shops, and spent good money for a quality work of art on your skin, so take care of it. You’ll thank yourself later.
